Indian Cottage cheese, also known as paneer is a staple ingredient in numerous Indian restaurant-style dishes. Some of the most famous Indian dishes always include a conglomeration of different paneer recipes which appeal to everyone. Today, we will discuss some of the main mutter paneer vs paneer tikka masala pointers along with some helpful recipes.
What Is Paneer?
Most Indian recipes include a variation of this incredibly soft, fresh cottage cheese that is served with Indian flatbread or basmati rice. Although there are several variations pertaining to the region, paneer is a versatile ingredient in every Indian dish.
Often people are curious about paneer recipes and want to compare them, like matar paneer vs saag paneer, paneer masala vs paneer tikka masala, and mutter paneer vs paneer tikka masala. These recipes are predominantly similar in terms of their method of preparation with slight variations in texture and taste. There are even differences between Indian paneer vs Bangladeshi paneer that incorporate modifications in the overall texture.
Mutter Paneer Vs Paneer Tikka Masala: Are They Similar?
While there are unmistakable differences in their individual tastes, paneer tikka masala and mutter paneer are created with a tomato-based creamy curry that is slightly spicier in taste than other paneer recipes. Moreover, the competition between mutter paneer vs paneer tikka masala is hard to beat as both are curated in an equally, intensive way.
Mutter Paneer is a completely vegetarian north Indian dish that contains tender chunks of paneer and frozen peas immersed in a melted pot of spices. The flavors of paneer tikka masala are also enriched with a similar tomato-based creamy gravy with a tinge of spiciness.
Paneer Tikka Masala Versus Mutter Paneer: What Are The Differences?
With the similarities set aside, let’s make a headstart on the mutter paneer vs paneer tikka masala distinctions. When it comes to the two individual dishes, paneer tikka masala and mutter paneer are both incredibly rich in flavor. Here are some of the main differences between the two dishes.
History
Matar Paneer is a vegetarian dish native to Punjab and is traditionally served with rice or Indian flatbread such as naan, kulcha, roti, and paratha. It is a vibrant tomato and garam masala spiced food that is inherently reminiscent of the culture of the region. Traditionally, this Indian restaurant-style curry is served on auspicious and joyous occasions.
Paneer tikka masala is traditionally served with a number of flatbreads such as naan, roti, and paratha and is a significant food in north Indian cuisine. Fresh paneer is immersed in heavy cream to create this popular Indian dish. Paneer tikka masala is more or less similar to its non-vegetarian version, chicken tikka masala which is one of the primary examples of fusion cuisines. It is traced back to the Mughal dynasty, where pieces of meat and vegetarian alternatives were marinated in a heavy cream sauce and cooked in a tandoor.
Taste
The taste of mutter paneer vs paneer tikka masala is accentuated with an overpowering spice-filled aroma that instantly stimulates your taste buds. While mutter paneer has a mildly spicy yet sweet taste, paneer tikka masala is spicier in nature due to the deeply cooked crispy paneer pieces that give it a mildly grilled and juicy taste.
Smell
Indian curry has a remarkably aromatic smell that is flavored with spices like garam masala, and bay leaf and garnished with fenugreek leaves. While mutter paneer has a distinctly creamy smell, paneer tikka masala imparts a grilled-smoky aroma.
Texture
The texture of the mutter paneer is runnier with a distinct aroma. On the contrary, paneer tikka masala contains large quantities of heavy cream and grilled Indian cottage cheese which gives it a creamier, thick texture.
Calories
Paneer Tikka Masala is a tasty dish that can easily be made in an instant pot. While mutter paneer contains 250 calories, paneer tikka masala has 448 calories in total. This is primarily because the spice-studded paneer cubes are marinated with a smooth paste and grilled in a tandoor.
Preservation Techniques
While mutter paneer has a shelf life of around 4 days, paneer tikka masala is palatable for up to 2 days. It has a short shelf life as the paneer dish contains grilled cubes of paneer. If you are curious about how to keep paneer soft, check out the link here.
How To Make Mutter Paneer?
This homemade paneer recipe is perfected to emulate the Indian restaurant-style dish. You can watch this video showing the method of preparation and follow the steps below. You will need 1 ½ cup cubed paneer and frozen peas for this recipe.
- Start by mixing 1-2 onions, ½ inch ginger, garlic cloves, and 10-12 cashews to make a flavourful masala paste.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil on a pan and toss the paneer pieces over medium heat. Saute them until slightly golden and add bay leaves, fenugreek leaves, and masala paste.
- Next, add the tomato puree and stir consistently.
- After the texture becomes runny, start adding all the spices: paprika, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri garam masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt to taste.
- Add the frozen green peas to the mixture and ¼ cup of hot water. Lastly, take 1-2 tablespoons of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of butter. This is totally optional but you can add 1 teaspoon of sugar (brown) to give it a hint of sweetness.
Serve with Indian flatbread and garnish with fresh cilantro.
How To Make Paneer Tikka Masala?
Before we begin with the intrinsic process, it is imperative to know how to marinate paneer for barbeque. Let’s begin with the step-by-step process.
- Mix six tablespoons of hung curd in a large bowl until it appears smooth.
- Now add one teaspoon ginger-garlic paste, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala powder, ½ teaspoon coriander powder, 2 to 3 pinches of nutmeg and saffron powder. Follow it up with corn starch or gram flour and salt.
- Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the mixture. Now dunk the paneer cubes (300 grams) in the mixture and some chopped onions and capsicums.
- Gently mix the ingredients and cover with a bowl. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour before proceeding with the next step.
- If you are using a pan, line with parchment paper and thread the paneer cubes and vegetables through the skewers. Alternatively, you can preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (390 degrees Fahrenheit) before grilling the paneer cubes. Make sure to brush 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil on the cubes for the oven method and grill until golden brown.
- If you are using a pan, heat 1 to 2 tbsp of oil and immerse the skewers. Fry until it turns into a shimmering golden color.
- Now, in the same pan, add the onion paste, 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, and tomato puree from earlier. Add the same spice powders used to marinate the paneer. Pour beaten yogurt and mix well.
- Add some cream and Kasuri methi (fenugreek leaves) and simmer for a few minutes. Lastly, add the paneer tikka and stir occasionally.
Serve with jeera rice or Indian flatbread.
Is Paneer Tikka Masala Healthy?
Paneer tikka masala is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian as compared to its aminal-based counterpart. The end result is extremely flavourful and creamy with the soft, tender paneer chunks that melt in your mouth along with the irresistible creaminess.
Make sure to check the total calorie count as this dish can be on the heavier side if consumed in large quantities.
